Pannel & Hook

Chapter 25: Guillotine

Tw: Mention of sexual harassment, please be advised

Kimi, Belle, and I shared the king-size for the night, basically sleeping like lions but checked my phone to see it was almost 11 AM even though everyone seemed to be asleep.

I managed to squeeze my way out of the pile and managed to freshen up before wandering the halls looking for a charger.

The room we stayed in was on the upper second floor but the building itself looked to be at least 3 Mil.

I found myself in front of a gold and white door until it unlocked with a long and hairy arm pulled me in.

It was Nicholas, who was surprisingly well dressed in business attire and handed me a tie to do for him.

He smiled a toothy grin after retrieving the tie, kissing Nessa's cheek and saying something lightly in Italian before taking his leave.

"Bonjour". The sun shined through the massive windows as her silhouette appeared in the sunlight, still wearing her silk robe.

"Good morning but how did he-". For someone so beautiful, her back and joints popped like corn in a microwave as she cut in.

"My Nicolas is head of security here, the moment a door is opened, we're made aware, and speaking of opening up...you look like you have something on your mind".

"Uhh...you have a charger?". She started to undress, shouting, 'Speak up Boo-Boo, I can't hear you hiding behind yourself".

"You have a charger I can use?". Nessa stepped out in an oversized black t-shirt, which probably belonged to Nicholas.

                She pointed to a long white plastic wire next to the bed that was plugged into the wall.

"While that's charging, you can tell me what's really bothering you". As we sat down in her wooden chairs, the look of her intense brown made it known that what she said wasn't a suggestion.

I lean forward and take a deep breath before looking back at her knowing her eyes didn't shift an inch.

                "Alright, I might be overthinking it like usual but you have to promise me you won't tell a soul".

                Her shark eyes blinked slowly before replying. "My lips won't tell a soul".

We sat for a moment before I started to recount. "Last night at the party, after seeing you and Thatch again it already got my nerves up since I haven't seen you guys in years and the both of you are 'Leaders'. I followed your order to get Manny, Manuel's keys, and I couldn't find him for a bit so I went to the kitchen and poured myself a few drinks before going back to look for em but then I saw this girl".

Nessa sat with her legs crossed, eyes staring into space but had her body facing me, showing she was listening.

"They came close, called me 'handsome', and wrapped their hand around my abs and started squeezing before moving their hand lower. By the time I realized what was going on, her hand was practically there. I didn't know whether or not to say thanks at first or throw her off me...I went and got the keys but when we went for Nate, I could barely look her in the eyes".                

"Peter...why didn't you tell Kimi?". I couldn't tell if she was angry or disappointed if not just shocked but either way her emotions were lost on me.

"I don't know...I didn't think...I wasn't sure if it were anything to worry about like I'm a guy and these things don't really happen to us so I figured I'd brush it off but it stayed and I still feel disgusted if not empty when I think about it".

"I'm sorry that happened to you, I'm really sorry". I snapped out of my head for a moment and saw she was standing above me with a rose-like scent already holding me in her arms as I felt nothing but compliant to squeeze her back as hard as I could.

After a minute, she wiped my eyes with her thumbs, elegantly making sure not to cut me with her claw-like nails. "Peace inside one's self is immortal until its immortality is tested by the guillotine of life".

"Go downstairs and eat, I'll be with you in a bit". She said with a warm smile and embraced me once again.

"While y'all are staying here, you're gonna be doing some jobs for me". Nessa sat at the head of the table inside the massive dining room and seemed remarkably comfortable with golden and silver silverware.

"Oh sorry, Nessa, was it? I'm actually not in their gang. I'm just dating the second in command, and Pete's my best friend soooo-".

"Great, now you're a part of mine". Belle mouthed a swear as she looked at me like I could do anything.

"That's great...I guess but where's Kimi?". I asked as Belle was handed a green jacket that looked nearly identical to my Lost Boy jacket but had a large dove on the back.

"Sorry guys, I wasn't really hungry, I had to sort something". Kimi apologized as she sat down with the faint sound of crinkled paper whistled from under her.

                       "Girl stuff". She paced a soft kiss on my cheek that fixed an ungovernable smile across my face.

"Great, let's get started". The level of satisfaction upon her face was unsettling just as I saw a slip of paper peeking out the edge of her back pocket whilst we listened to our new orders.

I once heard somewhere that, 'power comes from within', however I know she didn't lie and power was never something lacking within the queen...and may God help whoever made her subjects feel helpless.